By Lissy Maruthamkuzhy
New Delhi, October 4, 2026: Archbishop Anil J. T. Couto of Delhi urged Christians to seek personal conversion and become credible witnesses of Christ by living the Gospel through love, unity, service and action.
He was talking at an ecumenical prayer meeting for India with the theme “Bless India” on October 2, Gandhi Jayanthi (birth anniversary) Day, at Diocesan Community Centre Hall, Gole Dak Khana, New Delhi.
Organised by the Delhi Christian Pastors’ Fellowship, the ecumenical gathering brought together more than 500 people including bishops, priests, pastors, religious, youth and community representatives for prayer, worship, reflection and fellowship.
Archbishop Couto called for respect for constitutional values, religious freedom, and unity in diversity.
He reminded, Gandhi admired Christ but did not become a Christian, because he did not see Christians consistently living out the Gospel.
Gandhi said, if all Christians follow the Gospel, today the whole India would have been a living community. But it has not happened.
Treating this as a challenge to Christian credibility Archbishop Couto said, “Professing faith is insufficient without putting Christ’s teachings into practice.”
This observation called for Christians to examine what “divides them, what needs to change within them, rather than focusing only on others’ conversion.”
“Every occasion we come together is an occasion that calls us to be transformed in the Gospel and to live the Gospel as his credible witnesses in this world,” he added.
Delhi Christian Pastors’ Fellowship has been organizing this prayer for more than 10 years on October 2,
In his welcome address Father Norbert Hermon called for peace, justice, love, brotherhood and dignity for all Indians.
Prayer for peace and reconciliation formed a central part of the programme.
Participants prayed for reconciliation across churches, traditions and denominations; for communities to live together in peace and mutual respect; for churches to demonstrate unity through compassion, service and justice; for a generation that build bridges rather than walls and choose dialogue rather than division.
Through skits, dance and songs by the various Christian communities depicted the various challenges faced by women, girls and children in our country.
In his welcome address Fagher Herman called for peace, justice, love, brotherhood and dignity for all Indians.
He encouraged the participants not only to pray for India’s blessings but to become a blessing by feeding the hungry, offering hope to the discouraged, comforting those in distress and replacing hatred with respect.
(Photo supplied)